Camille Saint - Saens was born on October 9, 1835, far enough back in the nineteenth century to enjoy the patronage of Rossini, and lived to December 16, 1921 - long enough to have had to endure and survive the abusive slings and arrows flung at him in his old age by a young and insolent Erik Satie. The old lion got his revenge, overshadowing his tormentory even in death.

Grade Three is an important milestone for the piano student. Having arrived at this point, after mastering the early elementary stages, the student is looking forward with eager anticipation to music of a more 'serious' nature. Bearing this in mind, Grade Three has been very carefully designed!

The present edition contains the composer's complete revised version of his Thirty Children's Pieces for Piano, Op. 27. The order and subdivision into three books correspond to the original compositional idea. Editorial completions have been placed in brackets.